PHOENIX— HOTEL BUSINESS® has learned that Steve Belmonte is resigning his posts as president/CEO of Ramada Franchise Systems and executive vice president of the Cendant Hotel Division. A career hotelier, Belmonte is resigning to spend more time with his family. Belmonte has presided over Ramada since 1991, and since then the chain has more than doubled in size. Major accomplishments include adding the Ramada Limited and Ramada Plaza Hotel tiers, while introducing a new electronic reservation system and launching the “Ramadas In/Holidays Out” advertising campaign. Belmonte began his hotel career at the age of 18, when he became the youngest general manager in the history of Holiday Inn when he took over the management of the Holiday Inn OHare Airport. —Shannon Mc Mullen